NUSC Alumni Family Day 2023

A group of NUS alumni in Qingdao attended Singapore's 58th National Day Dinner organised by the Singapore Chamber of Commerce & Industry in China Shandong on 20th August 2023 at Shangri-La Qingdao. Mr Ma Hao (Business '17) sponsored a table to host our fellow NUS alumni in Qingdao City. Mr Ma Hao, Ms Ren Fang (Business '12), Mr Liu Zongguo (Public Policy '15), Ms Li Yaxuan (Law '18), Mr Yang Chuanyi (Public Policy '12) and Mr David Lye (Arts and Social Sciences '95) attended the Singapore National Day Dinner in Qingdao City. The Guest of Honour for the event was Mr Chee Hong Tat, Singapore's Acting Minister of Transport and Senior Minister of State for Finance. The special guest was Mr Peter Tan, Ambassador of Singapore to the People’s Republic of China.

On the 8th of August 2023, the Class of 2013 from the Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Science, had its first official get together. This is also the 10th year anniversary of its graduation. It was a simple affair back at familiar grounds - with dinner and drinks at NUS UTown’s Sapore Italian Restaurant. Besides the auspicious date, the eve of National Day also saw most attendees wearing the colours of red or white without any prior coordination. On such a befitting occasion, the close to 30 classmates had a hearty night of tucking into the free-flow food and reminiscing about good times. Many thanks to the NUS Office of Alumni Relations (OAR) for its support to help make this event a reality. All those present that night see this as a commendable start for the class to keep in contact, and they certainly look forward to attend the next edition.

On 5 Aug 2023, a delegation of 20 alumni, led by Treasurer of Xiamen Alumni Chapter Ms Apple Pan, took part in Singapore's 58th National Day reception organised by the Consulate-General of the Republic of Singapore in Xiamen.

Submitted by Charles GUO Caishun, Faculty of Law, LL.M. Class of 2010, Chairperson of NUS Xiamen Alumni Chapter

In celebration of their 5th-year milestone, the Class of 2018 from Industrial and Systems Engineering (ISE) organised a heartwarming anniversary dinner. The event, supported by the Office of Alumni Relations and the Industrial Systems Engineering and Management (ISEM) department, was held at the National University of Singapore Society Suntec City Guild House on 29 July, bringing together over 30 alumni, faculty members, and current ISE undergraduates. The affair, planned by the ISE class of 2018 student club committee, emphasised the importance of fostering strong connections within the NUS community. By rekindling old friendships and forming new connections, the event encouraged a robust exchange of ideas and experiences, nurturing a support system that extends far beyond the confines of the university. During the event various Master's programmes offered by ISEM and CMS faculties were showcased. Additionally, the event sought to promote the expansion of the ISEM alumni network, fostering a sense of unity and mutual support among graduates. One of the highlights of the evening was the invitation extended to current ISE undergraduates. This offered them a unique opportunity to engage with their seniors, gain valuable insights into the post-graduation journey, and receive guidance for their future careers. Overall, the 5th-year anniversary dinner served as a meaningful gathering, exemplifying the spirit of camaraderie shared by the Class of 2018, with a strong commitment to nurturing a thriving ISE community.

The “CoDE Women EmpowHER: Advancing Women in Tech and Design Leadership” event took place on 28 July 2023. With an impressive turnout of over one hundred people, the event welcomed alumni, NUS staff, members of the public, current undergraduates, and esteemed professors from the College of Design and Engineering. Three of the four guest speakers are NUS alumnae from Design or Engineering. They are Ms Fun Siew Leng (Architecture '83), Ms Joanne Teh (Industrial Design '03), Dr Aishwarya Bandla (Engineering '17). Another guest speaker, Ms Huang Shan Shan, is a current undergraduate from the NUS College of Design and Engineering. The panel discussion was moderated by Dr Eliza Fong (Engineering '09), a current assistant professor at the Department of Biomedical Engineering in NUS. Her role facilitated the flow of the discussion and ensured that the discussion progressed smoothly by guiding the conversation, managing tine, and transitioning between topics smoothly. She also ensured that diverse perspectives are represented, including underrepresented voices and viewpoints, promoting inclusivity and diversity in the discussion. Overall, the event was a success. On behalf of NUS College of Design and Engineering, we want to thank the four guest speakers for taking the time to come down and share their experiences and personal advice. Lastly, the College of Design and Engineering thanks all for celebrating this empowering and meaningful occasion with us, and we look forward to welcoming you to future events. To find out more about the event, please visit CDE Alumni Relations website at https://cde.nus.edu.sg/alumni/alumni-happenings-2/code-women-2023/.

On 21 July 2023, a delegation of some 15 alumni and family members, led by Secretary of Xiamen Alumni Chapter Dr. Min CHEN, paid a visit to ST Aerospace Technologies (Xiamen) Co. Ltd. The aerospace engineering company was jointly established between ST Engineering’s aerospace arm, ST Aerospace, and Xiamen Aviation Industry Co., Ltd (XAICO) to provide engine maintenance, repair and overhaul services. The visit was organised together with Tranfong Ventures, a Singapore-China cross-border venture building platform. Ken LIM, CEO of ST Aerospace Technologies (Xiamen), received the delegation.

Submitted by Charles GUO Caishun, Faculty of Law, LL.M. Class of 2010, Chairperson of NUS Xiamen Alumni Chapter

The National University of Singapore (NUS) Alumni MANILA Chapter joined NUS Homecoming 2023 held at the Upper Quadrangle of the NUS Bukit Timah Campus on 1 July 2023. Over 800 NUS alumni joined the event. Representing the chapter at this year’s Homecoming were Chapter Chairperson Mr Richard Tan (Public Policy ’13), Chapter Treasurer Ms. Karla Hotchkiss Rufino (Business ’10), LKYSPP Philippines Chapter President Ms Jamie Duque Daileg (Public Policy ’16), Mr Lyndon Daz (Public Policy’06), Ms Mariliza Villarosa Kalaw (Public Policy ’11), Mr Vladimir Mata (Public Policy ’14), Ms. Cess Celestino Arcilla (Public Policy ’17), Mr Anton Arcilla (Public Policy ’16), Ms. Janet S Cuenca (Public Policy ’20), and Mr. Paul Pagaran (Public Policy ’01).

Before the event proper, NUS alumni in attendance were treated to a variety of insightful seminars and workshops hosted by NUS staff and alumni. In his speech during the event, guest-of-honour NUS President Tan Eng Chye (Science ’85) mentioned how NUS had risen from 11th to 8th place in the most recent QS World University Rankings, and thanked the alumni for representing NUS, its values, and its influence.

The chapter representatives exchanged pleasantries with NUS President Professor Tan Eng Chye (Science ’85), NUS Chief Alumni Officer Ms Ovidia Lim-Rajaram (Arts and Social Sciences '89), and the NUS OAR team, and reaffirmed the Manila chapter’s commitment to actively engage NUS alumni in the city through networking and community involvement initiatives. The chapter also thanked Mr Bernard Toh (Architecture '84) for his exceptional contributions in his seven-year directorship of the Office of Alumni Relations. It was during his tenure where the MANILA Alumni Chapter was established in 2019.

“Homecoming is not only an opportunity to make new memories with old friends, but also an opportunity to make new friends from across campuses, faculties, countries, and cohorts,” said Ms Ovidia Lim-Rajaram, NUS Chief Alumni Officer. The MANILA Chapter will continuously promote this major alumni gathering among its members in the years to come.

Submitted by Mr Nestor Precioso (Science ’06).

Following our joyous Lunar New Year dinner event in February, the NUS Alumni Melbourne Chapter organised another successful event on 20 May 2023 celebrating NUS Cares in support of the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre (ASRC) Feast for Freedom project. The event was held at Merrywell Bar and Dining, with 32 alumni members and a delegation from NUS led by Mr Bernard Toh, NUS Director, Office of Alumni Relations.

In early March 2023, we embarked on a fundraising campaign to support the ASRC, a non-governmental organisation dedicated to providing practical assistance to refugees and asylum seekers. The ASRC's comprehensive initiatives encompass essential provisions such as food and material aid, crucial support services, healthcare provisions, advocacy efforts, as well as facilitation of education and training opportunities. Additionally, they offer employment programmes designed to empower individuals, equip them with necessary skills, instil confidence, and enable them to navigate the labor market successfully, ultimately helping them re-establish their careers in Australia.

We are thrilled to announce that we successfully accomplished our objective of providing 200 hot meals to asylum seekers, meeting our fundraising goal of $500! This was made possible by the generous donations from our esteemed alumni, whose heartfelt contributions went a long way in supporting this noble cause.

Morning rain cleared just in time to experience the oasis by the skyline at Crown Melbourne. This was indeed the iconic 'four seasons in one day' by the Yarra River accompanied with excellent Australian pub fare food and drinks. Attendees enjoyed a delectable 2-course bottomless lunch with free-flow alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages as they engaged in conversations and laughter socialising amongst the new and old members.

We were joined by the NUS delegation from Singapore consisting of Mr. Bernard Toh, Director, Mr. Gan Eng Khoon, Deputy Director, Ms. Jacqueline Yong, Associate Director, Office of Alumni Relations, Ms. Phoon Wai Mun, Senior Assistant Manager, Alumni Relations, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, and Mr Wong Peng Meng, NUS Alumni (Science ’82). Our Chairperson Dr. Edna Yeo took the opportunity to welcome our newest NUS Alumni Melbourne Chapter Digital Marketeer and Photographer, Mr Peh Guo Qi (Engineering '11). We look forward to his beautiful and artistic contribution at future events.

Amongst the many topics discussed was the concern with rising costs of living and the consequent delay in retirement which troubled many of us, particularly since Australia has always been perceived as a safe haven for retirement and raising family. As the economy heads into recession, it is paramount to show kindness to people around us. A bittersweet moment arrived when we presented our token of appreciation and card to Mr. Toh who will be stepping down as the Director, Office of Alumni Relations. We expressed our gratitude for his unwavering support to the Melbourne Chapter over the years. We look forward to working with his successor, Ms. Ovidia Lim-Rajaram (Arts and Social Sciences '89). Thank you to all the members who have participated and contributed to the ASRC Feast for Freedom fundraising. We look forward to seeing you at the next event.